title: A survey of endodontic practices among dentists in Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the pattern of routine endodontic practices among Nigerian dentists.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a questionnaire-based survey of samples of dentists in the Nigerian cities of Enugu and Benin. The self-administered questionnaire contained 25 close-ended questions with multiple choice options. The data collected included demographic details of respondents, root canal preparation techniques, irrigants and intracanal medicaments used, the number of appointments, method of working length determination, root filling techniques, cements used, and the scope of treatment performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most respondents used sodium hypochlorite as the irrigant, the step back technique for canal preparation, and lateral condensation with a zinc oxide-eugenol-based sealer for obturation. Most respondents did root canal treatment on all types of teeth and used radiographs to determine the working length 70% of the time. Most respondents followed up their patients for less than 12 months and most treated teeth with periapical areas larger than 10 mm by root canal therapy combined with apical surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most Nigerian dentists use step back technique for canal preparation and lateral condensation for obturation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endodontic practice by Nigerian dentists differs from some established practice quality guidelines in many other countries, particularly in nonperfusion of modern techniques into practice, popularity of antibiotic use for endodontic emergencies and a high rate of perforations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry/Endodontics Faculty of Dentistry, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Christopher I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Udoye
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sede
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jafarzadeh
authors.forename: Paul V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Abbott
mesh_terms: D001047:Apicoectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004497:Education, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D009811:Odontometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011859:Radiography; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057566:Self Report; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite